Gina G. Smith

Content with March’s Lion, Delayed Plans, and Being On Time

ginagsmith — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:50:57 +0000

March has certainly come in like a lion this year as tornadoes, thunderstorms and snow came ripping through the east over the weekend. Our best laid plans for the annual homeschool testing session were delayed by the snow/bad road conditions this morning, so I was forced into tackling some serious laundry issues and getting a head start on spring cleaning.

Our three year old son just tiptoed into this “quiet” living room, delivered a kiss to his baby sister and headed right back upstairs, where all the action is taking place. (I know this because there is some hideous banging and pounding happening just over my head. It’s a good thing this house has been here for a hundred years, or I might be a little worried.)

This Spanish Chicken with Chorizo and Potatoes is in the queue for dinner and another early bedtime is imminent so we can get up early once again and be tested and tried in regards to our homeschooling prowess.

The kids’ snacks (their favorite part of testing, hands down) are packed…apple slices and crackers with Sunbutter smeared on them. Also, our traditional “brainfood” packets have been assembled and loaded with “nerbs” candy (3 year old’s terminology). My main concern this year is just getting there on time. Funny how things change. I am so much more laid back about the actual tests with a couple years of experience under my belt. Just getting out of the house with four kids and arriving on time to our destinations is proving to be my biggest challenge so far as a mother of four.

I was so blessed by reading this post over the weekend as well. It’s all about contentment for mothers, something I often struggle with. So if you are getting tired of reading this type of stuff, you are in the wrong place. I like to post about what is relevant to my situation and baby, this is it.

Here’s a snippet, but really to get the full impact, you should take a few minutes and read the whole thing.

When you’re a young mom, older women tell you all the time that you should make sure to enjoy it . . . because these years go by so quickly. Instead of rolling your eyes and thinking, “let’s pray they do,” try and actually stop and listen to that advice. Realize that you’re going to look back on this someday, and the diaper blowouts will have disappeared from the picture. The messes won’t even be remembered. Instead of spending all your time imagining a flawless future, or wishing to get back a (supposedly) flawless past, try and look at your present circumstances in the same way. Let the dross fall away now, and be content now. It takes real discernment to be able to see what details are actually insignificant. You can’t (and you shouldn’t) pretend like the annoyances aren’t there. But you can try to see them in perspective. You can laugh at them. You can see them as the dross they are. You can decide to not let them distract you from the gold. You can decide to not let them dominate you. Because how tragic is it to go through every day, missing the beauty of the moment because you’re too busy re-imagining yesterday’s beautiful moment – and wishing for tomorrow’s beautiful moment. Try and revel in what God is giving you right this minute. – Rebekah Merkle

What Are Hoo Eating?

ginagsmith — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 07:00:42 +0000

My youngest son has the cutest way of speaking. And once you’re around him for just a bit, you start to catch on to his speech patterns. One funny thing he does is substitute an ‘h’ for the ‘y’ sound. As in, “What ah hoo eating, Mommy?” (A question I frequently have to answer, as I am now a ravenous nursing mama… know the drill?)

So now I’m asking: “What ah hoo eating?”

We have recently tried these: Crockpot Italian Chicken and Potatoes(eh…) and Chicken Orzo Skillet (winner! only, I used asparagus instead of broccoli)

I am seriously wanting to try this Spanish Chicken dish, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. Soon I’ll be back on my feet and the lovely meals that my friends and family have brought our way will dwindle. This may be one of the first things I try.

I found all these lovely dishes via Pinterest and am making a habit of going back and making notes on each recipe that I try. If we liked it (or didn’t) and if I made any substitutions or alterations, I’ll try to comment on those things.

In the meantime, I think I’ll have more pie.

One Week Old! (And Some Favorite Tunes)

ginagsmith — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:47:42 +0000

In case you missed it, our baby came last week! Although at this time last Wednesday I was convinced I would still be pregnant for another week. My, how things change in a matter of hours. No one will ever have to tell me that again. I’ll try to keep this little baby story short and sweet.

I started laboring at around 6pm while eating dinner. But thanks to this book, I really was able to manage the pain well (if I do say so myself!). So much so, that I just wasn’t sure this was really “it.” However, after 3 hours and contractions coming 2-3 minutes apart, my husband managed to convince me that it truly was time to go. During our 25 minute commute (Or less? If any traffic laws were broken on the way there, I’ll never tell.) I had about 10-12 more contractions and then 4 or 5 more from the parking lot to the ER. I think we got checked in at around 20 or 25 minutes after 10pm. My water broke at 10:36 and she was born at 10:45 and I’m telling you, a quick labor is THE way to go.

Thanks so much for all your prayers and encouragement. This was truly my best, fastest, easiest, and dare I say most enjoyable delivery.

Everyone is smitten by her and we are even getting back to a semi-normal routine after having to evacuate over the weekend due to a power outage. Life is good.

Since we’re listening to a lot of soothing music around here, I thought I’d share a few of our favorites…

Elizabeth Mitchell makes good music for babies/kids. Here’s one album we enjoy.

We’ve also been really enjoying this little gem. And all the proceeds from the sale of this album go to the Getty Owl Foundation, an organization established to raise awareness about Spinal Muscular Atrophy (an utterly heartbreaking genetic disease) and to help raise money to find a cure.

And here is one of my all time favorite lullaby albums.

What are some of your favorites?

V-Day Love

ginagsmith — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:00:22 +0000

The house is looking sweet and festive, in spite of me this year. I enjoy decorating for special holidays, especially since there are kiddos in the house, but this year I didn’t have the energy. I hung a little heart garland that I stitched up last year around our mirror on the mantle and got my littles started on making their own valentines for friends and that was it. However, I have a dear friend who DID have the energy and she came over for a few hours one day last week and crafted with my kids. How wonderful for them! Now our house is filled with heart wands, place”maps,” paint chip garlands, a love poem banner, chocolate brownie cupcakes and jars of candies and treats. I feel the love.

We took some of the extra paint sample hearts and hung them on the branches that had been used over Christmas. Perfect touch!

These made it into the rotation again this year for my sweetheart. And, while resting in the afternoons, I cut out some hearts to make messages for the kids’ bedroom doors and used the scraps to make a few more decorations. Now, if a certain little baby would decide to get with the program, we could surround her with all the hugs and kisses she could handle!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Handmade for Baby: Part 1

ginagsmith — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 07:00:35 +0000

I was able to stitch together these sweet baby shoes one day last week. Handmade/handstitched has been more difficult this time around, because I’ve had some carpal tunnel issues. I had to space out my handwork, because my fingers would start to go numb and get really achy after just a few minutes. (Funny, it got much better after I had that stomach bug. Blessing in disguise!) Anyway, these shoes worked up so quickly. I love sewing on felt with embroidery thread. So pretty.

And you might remember this baby sack? Well, I loved it so much I decided that girlie must have one too. I took it slow, just a few rows at a time, and now it’s done. In other crochet news, my sister in law made the gorgeous little hat pictured below that I can’t wait to plunk on her sweet little head. It will be precious.

I was showered with so many goodies for this baby a couple weeks ago. My friends/family hosted a tea party themed shower and it was the loveliest afternoon I’ve had in quite sometime–just what I needed to help spark our excitement about having the house once more filled with lots of baby love. There was lots of pink and I’m very excited about that. It’s been nine years since there were pink baby things tumbling out of the diaper bag! (And just wait until I show you that diaper bag…another day, along with some other really fun handmade things)

But for now, look at all this girliness! If only you could also smell it…lovely.

And Counting

ginagsmith — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:15:39 +0000

We’re celebrating my husband today and yet another year that he’s been on the earth. What can I say? I truly think the world is a better place because he’s in it and he’s an amazing husband and father. We feel so blessed that he’s ours!

Taco salad, English Premier League soccer, and a snowstorm are on the agenda for today. And I got him this for the special occasion. I know it’s not very romantic, but if you could have seen the way he was using a rubber band to carry all his cards and cash around, you’d agree it was a perfect choice. (Perhaps a baby would be a pretty good gift too, but some things are just ultimately out of our control…but hey, the day is young.)

Happy 35th, my Dear. I love you so.

I Had No Idea.

ginagsmith — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:00:50 +0000

I had no idea that February was Burnout Month for homeschoolers. But it makes sense, doesn’t it? For obvious reasons, we’ve cut our learning down to the bare minimum for the time being: reading, writing, arithmetic, and test prep. We’re getting along fine in this state of limbo, and although it’s not all I dreamed or hoped it would be for our learning this year, it’s what we all need–easy lessons, lots of rest, play, stories and simple days.

A few friends posted a link to this article yesterday on Facebook and I loved reading it. If you’re anything like me and constantly wonder if you’re doing enough for your kids and their education, you’ll enjoy it too.

You don’t have to be a homeschooling superstar to feel good about the kind of education your kids are getting. Just be yourself. Embrace who you are. A reading mama? A knitting mama? A super-social mama? A mama who’s always whipping something tasty up in the kitchen or one who’s constantly on the prowl for interesting places to visit? Figure out what drives you and then let your kids shine within that capacity. Trying to be something you’re not, trying hard to provide your kids with the education that the blogger-next-door is giving hers will just burn you out and inspire you to quit the whole project entirely.

I guess the danger exists of trying to make your kids fit into your mold, but with a little common sense and a watchful eye, you can guard against that. Helping your kids to shine within the circle of your influence is no piddly thing. It’s so easy to get caught in the trap of comparison, especially in this world of information and sharing. Don’t do it.

Showers of Blessings

ginagsmith — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 07:00:20 +0000

I was showered with so many wonderful things a couple of weeks ago by some dear friends and family. I can’t wait to show you all the PINK and all the handmade goodness that has come our way.

Right now, though, what is really overwhelming me is all the encouragement I have received during these last emotional days of this pregnancy. I’ve gotten so many phone calls, emails and Facebook messages out of the blue, from dear ones who remember what it’s like during the last stretch. There are so many worries and fears that can creep in at the very last. Whether they are reasonable or not, they exist. I wrote in my journal this morning that I really wish that my non-pregnant self could have a talk with my pregnant self and get some rational, steady thoughts going. But the Lord is giving me so much grace for where I am right now. I simply have to share with you a few of the ways He is meeting my needs.

(A little background, first: I came down with the dreaded stomach bug last week! At nearly 39 weeks, it is no easy thing. All the care I have taken to hydrate my body and take the proper vitamins…taken back down to nil. Not too comforting, when you consider all the hard work that is labor and delivery. This was enough to throw me into a tailspin. Seriously. Panic. “How can I do this? What will go wrong? Will I be strong enough?“) Silver lining? I lost nearly all my water weight.

I’m so thankful for a husband who speaks the truth to me, “You don’t have to get through all of it now. You just have to deal with what’s in front of you at this moment. Calm down.” He has made so many sacrifices and taken on so much extra responsibility, all with strength, grace, beauty and frankly, more cheerfulness than I could muster in a similar situation. That does so much for my own peace of mind.

My children have been a constant source of delight to me in their demeanor and willingness to help out around the house, entertain themselves and play cheerfully with one another using their never ending supply of imagination. I’m blessed beyond measure.

I’m also grateful for friends who came to the rescue a couple of times to entertain my kiddos and show them a good time while their poor mama was either in the sick bed or at the doctor. It’s so nice to not even worry one second about your kids when they’re in someone else’s care. Isn’t it?

I’ve had several timely reminders of His promise to care for us like this quote, sent out by a dear friend of our family…sweet little messages of His love and faithfulness. “God is absolutely trustworthy. There is no conceivable situation in which it is not safe to trust him utterly” –J Oswald Sanders. Simple and beautiful truth, eh?

I stumbled across a sweet and confident post by Aimee, about doing hard things.

And another by Ann, at just the right moment. Here’s an exerpt:

Life is only all our moments slipped on in a row, one after the other — and if you turn slow in the light, the moments might shine translucent.

And the surprise of it catches you and releases you and it is what you always hoped and always knew.

There is glory in every now.

Strange —-

how you can turn, turn direction a bit like the wind —

and all this grit becomes such startling grace…

::

Sara’s Miracle, So Beautiful

ginagsmith — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 07:00:30 +0000

Sippy Cup for Grownups? I’m All In.

ginagsmith — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 07:00:40 +0000

Check this out. Another great way to save money on our grocery budget! No more water bottles in the car? I heart Mason jars.

CUPPOW! from Paper Fortress on Vimeo.

Yes, once again I have Pinterest to thank for this little lovely.

What are some of your favorite grocery budget “helps?” (This week, I reinvented the leftover roast and veggies we had two nights ago into a really tasty beef pot pie. Real beef broth was the key, I think. As well as the addition of thyme. Hard to beat.)